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Monmouth Meet Concludes With Across The Board Gains; Lopez, Navarro, Red Oak And High Point Take 2013 Titles

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Monmouth Park Racetrack concluded its 61-day racing season
on Sunday, sporting across the board gains in attendance, on-track and
simulcast handle.

Through a
lease from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) to the New
Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NJTHA) signed on May 4, 2012, Monmouth Park is marking its first full year under
new leadership, with Darby Development LLC the operating manager.

“We knew
last year would prove a good starting point,” said Dennis Drazin, advisor to
Darby Development and the NJTHA.“The
numbers posted this year prove that fans across the country have responded
positively to our racing product, while those closer to home enjoyed great
racing at one of the world’s most beautiful racetracks.”

Average
attendance came in at 8,986, besting last year’s average of 8,599 by 4.5%, when
Monmouth ran 65 cards.On-track wagering
averaged $510,106, an 8.3% increase over 2012 as total wagering averaged
$4,440,595, representing a 9.8% boost over last season.

“These
numbers certainly met all expectations,” Drazin said.“We were hoping to build off of last year’s
start and we have succeeded in doing so.

“We’ll look
to continue this upward momentum as we strive to meet the goals set forth by
ourselves just over one year ago:bring
expanded gaming opportunities to the racetrack; create new family
entertainment; and, provide world-class Thoroughbred racing at the Jersey Shore.”

The meet
was once again highlighted by the $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational,
which saw Verrazano set a new win margin record, dominating his foes by 9 ¾ lengths
in the Shore’s signature race.Other
highlights included Big Blue Kitten’s impressive performance in the United
Nations Stakes and the thrilling stretch duel between Last Gunfighter and San Pablo in the Iselin,
with the former besting the latter, who was the defending champion.

“As we look
to the future,” Drazin said, “we are on the brink of announcing a new off-track
betting facility, we continue our work to bring sports wagering to the
racetrack and have plans for enhanced on-line gaming opportunities - all geared
at bringing horse racing closer to the fan.

“On-track,
we will soon open the William Hill Race and Sports Bar – a state-of-the-art,
Vegas-style sports book, which will offer free play on top sporting
events.In addition, the entire facility
will continue its transformation into a more fan-friendly, family oriented
destination in the heart of the Jersey
Shore.”

Paco Lopez
was a runaway winner in the race for top jockey, booting home 99 winners.It was Lopez’s second Monmouth title, having
taken home top honors in 2010.

Leading
trainer went to Jorge Navarro, who saddled 47 winners, including a record-tying
four on Sept. 22, 2013.For Navarro, a
38-year-old native of Panama,
this was his first trainer’s title at any racetrack.

Red Oak
Stable, who has been involved in racing for decades, enjoyed their first-ever
Monmouth Park owner’s championship, having visited the winner’s circle 17 times,
tying them with High Point Thoroughbred Partners, who also enjoyed their first
owner’s title.

Thoroughbred
racing shifts north to the Meadowlands for 10 all-turf live cards, beginning on
Friday, Oct. 11.The Big M will host live racing on Fridays,
Saturdays and Mondays through Nov. 2 with the exception of Monday, Oct. 21,
which will be a dark day.